Malta fever

Alternative names

Rock fever; Cyprus fever; Undulant fever; Gibraltar fever; Brucellosis

Definition

Brucellosis is a disease caused by contact with animals carrying the Brucella bacteria.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Brucella bacteria infect cattle, goats, camels, dogs, and pigs. Transmission of the disease to humans occurs by contact with infected meat, placenta of infected animals, or ingestion of unpasteurized milk or cheese.

The illness may be chronic and persist for years. Brucellosis is rare in the United States, except in the western states and in visitors or immigrants from countries where it is prevalent (Spain, Mexico, South America, Middle East).

Approximately 100 to 200 cases occur in the United States each year. People working in occupations requiring frequent contact with animals or meat, such as slaughterhouse workers, farmers, and veterinarians, are at high risk.

Acute brucellosis may begin with mild flu-like symptoms or with fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches (myalgia), joint aches (arthralgia), and malaise. Classically, fever spikes occur every afternoon to levels around 104 degrees Farenheit. "Undulant" fever derives its name from this undulating or up-and-down fever.

Symptoms

• Fever
  
• Chills
  
• Sweating, excessive
  
• Weakness
  
• Weight loss
  
• Fatigue
  
• Headache
  
• Abdominal pain
  
• Enlarged liver
  
• Back pain
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Joint pain
  

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Muscle pain
  
• Glands, swollen
  

Signs and tests

• Blood culture
  
• Urine culture (clean catch)
  
• CSF culture
  
• Bone marrow culture
  
• Serology detecting brucellosis antigen
  

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)